investigate the issue of 728 nurses
8 February 2007
The KwaZulu Natal Department of Health has appointed a tribunal to
investigate the issue of 728 nurses that were dismissed last week following
their unprotected and illegal strike.
On 6 February 2007 the Congress of South African Union (COSATU) requested a
meeting with the MEC for Health Ms Peggy Nkonyeni. The MEC submitted to that
call and the MEC and her senior management convened a meeting on 7 February
2007 with four unions representing affected nurses; those were, the National
Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), Democratic Nurses
Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), Public Servants' Association (PSA) and
Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa
(HOSPERSA).
The Department of Health and the above mentioned unions agreed that the
strike was unprotected and illegal. However, both parties agreed on an
appointment of a tribunal to investigate each case of the dismissed nurses. The
tribunal has been set today and it comprises of three members, namely, Advocate
Comfort Ngidi of Ngidi and Associates, Advocate Larry Seethal of Seethal
Attorneys, and Advocate Ngubane of Ngubane and Partners Inc.
The appointment of the tribunal must not be confused. The Department does
not regret having dismissed those nurses as they compromised the lives of
people. Among other things, the tribunal will investigate claims of
intimidation during the strike and make recommendations to the Department. The
report is expected at the end of two months and the tribunal will start working
on Monday, 12 February 2007. All dismissed nurses who claim to have been
intimidated to participate in the strike should lay charges with South African
Police Services (SAPS) and present their case numbers to tribunal.
Contact:
Leon Mbangwa
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (033) 395 2248 / 395 3033
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
8 February 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)
